ChaosHappinessBookMama

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ At the end of the day, it isn't always your marriage, your relationship with your spouse, that gets you through the day, the years. It's those women - those friends who knew you at each stage of you.  When you were crazy, tired and just done while raising young children.  The you struggling with work commitments,  trying to revive your marriage, school parents who shunned your attempts at conversation while waiting for children.  The you single again after so many years.  The you enjoying the empty nest, new time for your spouse.  The women who remind us of who we are as ourselves,  that part that always seems to disappear - desperate to be remembered.   Three friends reminisce over their lives - meeting, weekends away, tension. Even lost years, too afraid to connect.  And a secret. I had to close my book and give it a rest - shocking. 

A Mother's Lie Leah Mercer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book has it all - female friendships, family secrets, a family next door with their own secrets. Quick, emotional read about a family's connection to themselves,  a reclusive cottage and the family next door. #BookTour #netgalley  #amotherslie #leahmercer #fivestarreview #bookouture #newrelease

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is the retelling Jane Eyre fans have been waiting for! Chilling.  Gothic. Use of original names and characters.  A shady husband.  Haunting house. Just everything.   Jane's show has been canceled; her mom died; her boyfriend turned out to be less than worthy.  Bank account dwindling- what is Jane going to do?  Her long time friend, Otis,  offers her a job as his cousin's daughter's tutor.  Evan, yes that Evan - husband of the famous Beatrice McAdams who he either murdered or she committed suicide.  Jane packs it up and heads to California.   Beatrice recounts her last months - chilling tales of her jailor husband, the housekeeper witch who watches over her, the constant medication.   Amazing modern day retelling of this classic. 

⭐⭐⭐.5 This is my first book by the author - defiantly interested in more!  Rachel is found brutally murdered in her hotel room. So much violence and strong emotions.  Kate works to solve the case - unveiling Rachel's checkered past.  As an excommunicated Amish, Rachel worked hard to build a life for herself.  One without limits, rules or requiring good behavior.  After writing a supposed tell all book about the Amish, Rachel could not have upset the community more - or made more enemies.   Kate works through the community's anger, trying to piece together the truth behind the book.  With so many suspects who hated Rachel, will Kate uncover the truth?  Great writing and story. Loved the characters.   I received a copy of the audiobook- lived the narrator.  Very engaging and kept my attention.  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow. So many gasp out loud no way thrills.  Hannah arrives at Nadine and Ben's house ready to babysit their infant daughter.  As they are about to leave, a man kills them. Hannah hovers in the closet,  struggling to stay quiet while the drugs in her system swirl in her blood. Lily was abducted as a teenager - years later, those memories are returning.  Hazy and dreamlike,  Lily is just trying to cope. Her partner,  Iver, is away caring for his mom. On her own, Lily struggles to manage her emotions as well working as an ER nurse.  Kylie arrives on scene - shocked by the gruesome scene. Who would kill such an unlikely target? Where is the baby? Where is Hannah?  Told in multiple narratives, the story moves quickly with many surprises.   I am a huge gan of this author - this book just reinforces.  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So much love and laughter.  Amazing look at grief - with the best message: take your time; there is no right way to grieve.   Grace is raising two adopted daughters on her own. Well with the help of the sisters - four women who lend reality,  humor, kindness,  love, understanding and best of all encouragement.   A few years earlier,  Grace's husband died from cancer. Tom left letters and voice messages for those dearest to him. For Grace, Tom sent her around the world, to travel in his steps.  Joyce, Tom's mother,  asks Grace to help arrange a memorial. And to write a book recounting Tom's travels and their correspondence.   And so begins Grace's story. Overflowing with love, laughter, sorrow, pain and so much love. Loved this book. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was given the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for a non biased reivew.  The narrator did a great job distinguishing between the characters- including the main characters Ted, a cat named Olivia and a young girl named Lauren among others.   I must admit the first 60%of this book I was not into it. Dee, Lauren's sister, ignited the pace when she moves next door to Ted - obsessed with his obvious but circumstantial guilt.  The ending certainly broke my heart. The twists were very well done - causing me to gasp out loud several times.  A tale of horror and long term abuse. Great writing,  unique characters and lots of shock value. 

The writing brings the Kentucky hills and families to life.  Mick arrives home from a tour- to his extremely pregnant wife. After a short affair, Peggy is unsure of the baby's paternity.   Mick moves into his grandfather's old shack in the hills, needing space to think. His sister, the newly appointed Sheriff, asks for his help. Linda has a murder to solve - a local woman found on a hill.  With Mick's help, they work to earn the trust of the community to share what they know.  Enjoyable quick read, short and doesn't waste words. 

⭐⭐⭐ Kincaid returns to the Philippines for a vacation. His first night at the resort he interrupts a kidnapping attempt - a retired British Ambassador also on vacation.   After dealing with the local authorities, a woman begs for his help. Jillian arrived at her father's beach house - there is no sign of him. Kincaid agrees to help her.  The kidnappers belonged to a terrorist group- the leader desperate for revenge.   Jillian's father has beem using his business as a front for a serious illegal transactions.   Kincaid must delve through the deceit to uncover the truth with the hope of finding Jillian's father before it's too late.  Fun, fast paced,  lots of action. 

Why have I not read this author before?  Sweet story about two women, friendship,  dreams and finding your place.  Emma has been mothering all those in her life since her mother's unexpected death - Emma was 8 and just wanted to make everything ok. Including being a mom for her younger sister,  born shortly before their mother's death.   Her sister moves to Iceland. Her dad insists he is independent.  All that is left is facing her poor work and engagement relationships.  Struggling with her defining her own needs, Emma liberally runs into Tia - a high school acquaintance about to start her life over. Tia wants to buy Honeymoon Station- renovate into a boutique hotel.   Emma jumps in.  Though all in the small town are not pleased with their presence,  the women stride forward.  As does Emma's self confidence.   Sweet story, easy read with lovely people. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Allie finds herself living in a suburban nightmare- surrounded by mom cliques and no way to join.   At neighborhood party, Allie sits by herself, wondering how her husband can just start talking and make instant friends. While watching Mark, Rob stands next to Allie and starts to flirt. When he utters her high school nickname,  Allie walks away. Only for Rob to push her back into the bathroom, push her against the sink and begin to grope her. As she flees the bathroom, Mark comes up the stairs,  to see them both stumble out. Rob makes a snide comment to stay off Tinder.  Allie grabs Mark and leads him home,  reassuring him it was just an altercation all women find themselves.  In the morning- Rob is dead.  Sucked me in. Not just the plot. But a woman's entire experience after an assault.  Shame. Loss of diginity and privacy.  Her actions displayed. No repercussions for revenge porn. Primarily,  Mark's reaction to the assault and someone targeting Allie.  The ending - I was

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 Stevie and her friends are invited to a summer camp to solve a decades old murder.   I was annoyed they left the school - but quickly adjusted my attitude.   In the 70s, The Box in the Woods Murder was committed.  Though authorities investigated several theories, it remains unsolved.   Until a millionaire decides to buy the camp and solve the murder. And create the ultimate podcast.  Stevie and her friends are given jobs to help them blend. But their major focus is the case.  How I love these characters.  Nate, Janelle, and even David lend humor, reality and shenanigans as Stevie delves deep into this town's history.   Great addition to this series!

Bea received her Time Capsule letter from a grade school teacher- it seems to be sending her messages.  Like reconnecting with her best friend Bea rarely talks to.  Bea convinces her other best friend and business partner,  Katrina, to visit Stephanie.  They find her depressed,  self loathing and heartbroken.  Stephanie's one again and off again boyfriend announced his engagement- to another woman.  Katrina and Bea drag Stephanie out of her gloom.  Thanks to a case at work,  Bea finally has a reason and motivation to go to Ireland- the granddaughter and daughter of Irish immigrants.  She can finally meet her mother's estranged family  - Bea's mother died when she was a toddler.   The girls jump on a plan and embrace their adventure.   Family. Bravery. Love. Forgiveness.  This story sucks you in.  The positive female friendships of both Bea and her mother were the best part. Non judgemental,  encouraging and loving support - the heartbeat of the story.

Great debut!